From Glucose to ATP

Equation C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O2 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O + ATP Glucose and Oxygen produces Carbon Dioxide, Water and ATP energy

Cellular Respiration  The process through which glucose provides energy in living cells via ATP. ATP is the currency with which all energy transaction of the body’s cells take place.

Cellular Respiration can be:  Anaerobic- does not involve oxygen  Aerobic- involves oxygen

Three Phases of Cellular Respiration  Glycolysis  Krebs Cycle (Acetic Acid Cycle)  Electron Transport Chain

Phase 1: Glycolysis (Anaerobic) Occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell- 2 ATP molecules are needed to start the process.  By itself, anaerobic respiration is not very efficient. However, there are times when anaerobic respiration provides most of the cell’s energy- ex. sprinting.  One glucose molecule is split into two pyruvic acid molecules.  Results are a net gain of 2 ATP molecules (for energy), 2 pyruvic acid molecules (for next step), CO 2 and NADH

Phase 2: Kreb’s Cycle (Aerobic) Occurs in the mitochondria  Pyruvic Acid from glycolysis is broken down into acetic acid and Co-enzyme A.  The acetic acid enters the Krebs Cycle, producing 2 ATP and high energy hydrogen atoms.

Phase 3: Electron Transport Chain (Aerobic) Occurs in mitochondria  The high energy hydrogen atoms give up their electrons, which enter the chain.  Series of reactions that transfer the electron energy to ATP molecules.  The new low energy hydrogen electrons bond with oxygen to form water.